Evaluating the Influence of Water Quality on Macroinvertebrate Diversity Using Bioindicator Analysis

Abstract

Water quality is a major factor that influences the diversity and distribution of aquatic invertebrates, which often used as bioindicators for the health condition of freshwater ecosystems. The objective of this study was to assess a relation between water quality and macroinvertebrate diversity through bioindicator analysis. Water quality parameters for dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity and conductivity in situ at the selected sampling stations were monitored using multiparameter water quality meter. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was used to evaluate the general water quality status. Macroinvertebrates were sampled by the kick sampling and identified to family in laboratoty. The shannon-Weiner diversity index was calculated for diversity, while statistical analyses were used to assess the association between water quality and macroinvertebrate diversity. The findings suggested that the study area had overall good quality of water, as predicted by WQI categories ranged in Class II. The majority of water quality variables were acceptable for aquatic life although pH  and conductivity differences indicated moderate stress in some sites. A moderately to highly diverse macroinvertebrate community was observed, comprising pollution-sensitive and pollution-tolerant taxa. Alterations in macroinvertebrate diversity were well-correlated with changes in water quality attributes, especially dissolved oxygen and pH. In general, this study ascertains the significant effect of water quality on macroinvertebrate diversity, confirming that macroinvertebrates are effective bioindicator for evaluating the health of freshwater alluvial ecosystems.